Nathan Buckley says he is rapt about Scott Pendlebury’s late-career shift from Collingwood to Gold Coast, declaring that by making such a move now the AFL’s games record holder will be “super ready” for his next AFL career step.
Collingwood great Buckley – who coached Pendlebury between 2012 and 2021, a large portion of which Pendlebury was Pies captain – said the 442-game AFL veteran would have made the best decision “based on all the available evidence”. Pendlebury has decided to accept a four-year contract from the Suns, which will include two years as a player and two as a coach.
There are options for that deal to be modified if Pendlebury cannot see out the term on the field. He will be 40 by the end of the two-year playing contract.
“He’s not going to be a player forever, and this is the perfect lead-in to whatever aspirations he has beyond that,” Buckley said on Fox Footy’s On The Couch on Monday night.
“I’m rapt to see him move out of Collingwood, go to another environment, learn more there, and be super ready to take whatever the next steps are.”
Pendlebury’s management and Collingwood boss Craig Kelly are in discussions for the dual premiership player and five-time Copeland Trophy winner to be paraded at a Magpies home game early next season at a time that also suits his new club. The Pies will also pay tribute to him at their best-and-fairest function.
Buckley backed Pendlebury’s decision to reveal his decision on Saturday morning – after their season ended with a wildcard final loss to the Western Bulldogs. Collingwood supporters farewelled fellow club great Steele Sidebottom, but they – and Pendlebury’s teammates – were left in the dark about his move.
“He was commiserating with his teammates after the siren,” Buckley said. “I guarantee you none of them would have been aware of what was going on at that point because you do hold your counsel until the appropriate time, and the appropriate time was on the Saturday morning.”
Buckley said Pendlebury would continue to be an on-field asset for Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick.
“I’ve got no doubt that it looked like he was sore as the year went on,” he said.
“But what’s to say that that wasn’t a response to the colder months?
“He has structured up that Collingwood side and pulled them together and been the on-field coach and Craig McRae’s proxy on-field when it’s required.
“I’ve got no doubt that he can go and do most of those things for Damien Hardwick at least next year, potentially into the year beyond.
“And that’s what they’re looking for.”
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